Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 13 Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah

Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - Some realize the self by meditation with the mind, others through the path of knowledge, and others through the path of action.

ध्यानेनात्मनि पश्यन्ति केचिदात्मानमात्मना |
अन्ये साङ्ख्येन योगेन कर्मयोगेन चापरे ||24||

Some realize the self by meditation with the mind, others through the path of knowledge, and others through the path of action.

Dhyana: Meditation as a path to realization.
Sankhya: Path of knowledge.
Karma-yoga: Path of selfless action.

Different paths to self-realization—meditation, knowledge, and action—are introduced, emphasizing that liberation is accessible through diverse approaches suited to individual temperaments.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - Others, who are unaware of this, hear from others and worship. They also transcend death by their devotion to what they hear.

अन्ये त्वेवमजानन्त: श्रुत्वान्येभ्य उपासते |
तेऽपि चातितरन्त्येव मृत्युं श्रुतिपरायणा: ||25||

Others, who are unaware of this, hear from others and worship. They also transcend death by their devotion to what they hear.

Shruti-parayana: Devotee focused on hearing scriptures.
Upasana: Worship or service.
Ajna: Ignorance or lack of knowledge.

Krishna acknowledges that even indirect devotion, inspired by hearing and faith, can lead to liberation. This verse underscores the inclusive nature of the spiritual journey.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - Whatever being is born, whether it is immovable or movable, know it to be produced by the union of the field and the knower of the field.

यावत्सञ्जायते किञ्चित्सत्वं स्थावरजङ्गमम् |
क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञसंयोगात्तद्विद्धि भरतर्षभ ||26||

Whatever being is born, whether it is immovable or movable, know it to be produced by the union of the field and the knower of the field.

Kshetra: Field representing the body.
Kshetrajna: Knower of the field.
Sattva: Essence or being.

Krishna unifies all beings under the framework of the field and its knower. This verse reinforces the interconnectedness of life and the shared essence of all existence.

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समं सर्वेषु भूतेषु तिष्ठन्तं परमेश्वरम् |
विनश्यत्स्वविनश्यन्तं य: पश्यति स पश्यति ||27||

He who sees the supreme Lord dwelling equally in all beings, undying within the perishable, truly sees.

Ishvara: The supreme Lord.
Avinashi: Indestructible or eternal.
Samatva: Equanimity or sameness in all.

Seeing the divine equally in all beings fosters a profound sense of unity. Krishna stresses that such vision transforms perception, dissolving barriers between the self and others.

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Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yogah - Seeing the Lord equally present everywhere, he does not harm the self by the self and thereby attains the supreme goal.

समं पश्यन्हि सर्वत्र समवस्थितमीश्वरम् |
न हिनस्त्यात्मनात्मानं ततो याति परां गतिम् ||28||

Seeing the Lord equally present everywhere, he does not harm the self by the self and thereby attains the supreme goal.

Atma: The self or soul.
Samata: Equality or evenness.
Param-gati: The supreme goal or liberation.

By emphasizing equanimity, Krishna connects ethical behavior with spiritual growth. Seeing the self in all beings leads to compassionate action and detachment from outcomes.

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प्रकृत्यैव च कर्माणि क्रियमाणानि सर्वश: |
य: पश्यति तथात्मानमकर्तारं स पश्यति ||29||

He who sees that all actions are performed by nature alone, while the self remains inactive, sees truly.

Prakriti: Nature as the doer of actions.
Akarta: Non-doer or inactive self.
Karma: Actions performed by nature.

Actions arise from nature, while the self remains a passive observer. Krishna reiterates the importance of understanding this distinction to achieve freedom from karma.

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यदा भूतपृथग्भावमेकस्थमनुपश्यति |
तत एव च विस्तारं ब्रह्म सम्पद्यते तदा ||30||

When one sees the diversity of beings as rooted in the one and their expansion from that alone, he attains Brahman.

Bhuta: Beings as manifestations of the one.
Prithag-bhava: Diversity arising from the same.
Brahman: The ultimate reality.

The realization of oneness in apparent diversity culminates in liberation. Krishna prepares Arjuna to see all beings as manifestations of the supreme, leading to ultimate peace.

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